Europe’s Not So Special Relationship With Obama

By Iain Martin

I neglected to post my column (“Europe Needs to Look Beyond Obama”) on the blog this week. You can read it here.

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President Obama may still be popular with voters in Europe but relations with European leaders are not great. He lacks interest in the continent and is increasingly preoccupied with his own political troubles. Merkel has never had a comfortable relationship with Obama; Sarkozy is not a fan. Those in the upper echelons of the new British government — which features several notable addicts of U.S. politics — are typically excited at the thought they will get to visit the West Wing and meet real Americans in the administration, this time in office rather than opposition.

But beyond the usual platitudinous stuff about the “special relationship” — a term American officials tell secretaries of state and presidents they must use or the British will have a breakdown — there are slim pickings. The BP crisis is not helping.

A future president may realize why the European link matters and worry more about dealing properly with old friends who have proven records of support. I doubt this one will have such an awakening any time soon. The answer, for now, is for European leaders to remain cordial but worry about Obama a little less. And in the meantime call China, India and elsewhere instead.